Blowing Through Email Backlog

 

I'm back from a trip to India where keeping up with email just wasn't practical.  So upon my return I went back through my columns on handling mail to be sure I remembered the best way to handle the glut of messages facing me. Thankfully, I've been diligent about using filters and flags so I'm making my way through things with some level of efficiency.  In case you've been hesitant to adopt some good email management habits or like me you've let things slip a bit my experience may be helpful.

 

Thank goodness for filters and flags. Using colors and flags really helped me stay on top of things as they arrived (albeit sometimes slow and overflowing as the systems caught up with one another.) The filters helped certain emails stand out in my inbox and allowed me to go through specific email during specific time periods. For example, I could spend an entire hour focused exclusively on emails relative to specific deals or projects.  I could focus on more casual emails while en route knowing that if there was an occasional typo or grammar error it would be forgiven.  This really keeps the brain focused on where it needs to be and gives a sense of satisfaction that there is momentum working. A sense of accomplishment. This really requires repeating the mantra..."the goal is to get things under control, not resolve every single issue presented in the incoming e-mails."  This is where I remind myself that perfectionism will only slow me down and could cause me to throw up my hands in desperation. This is where you have to remember my only goal is to process my inbox and illuminate the backlog so that I can get back to a normal pace of work.

 

When blowing through a bulk of emails, it's also important to remember to skip around.  Act like a kid and freely skip and jump around.  The worst thing to do is to review your e-mail going one by one in chronological order. That approach is too fragmented because it often requires multiple scans through other emails, and I don't know about you but I inevitably get nauseous, overwhelmed and just plain grumpy. Again, this is where flagging and categories really come into play and if you haven't done a good job of categorizing already, quickly do it. Choose meaningful active categories like send product information, schedule meeting or divide the emails up based on who they're from or who they need to go to.  Don't forget to rely on viewing conversations which will get you up to speed quickly on strings of multiple emails.

 

There are so many times throughout my career that I felt I shouldn't bother to take the time off because it was going to be too much trouble to catch up when I returned.  I'm glad I've left that concept fall by the wayside. That isn't to say I still don't get anxious when being away from instant communications 24/7. But I'm sure thankful for the systems I've bothered to put in place that allow me to enjoy being completely disconnected and have a little less anxiety along the way and upon my return.

 

Come join our discussion on our blog or I welcome your feedback through email.  

 

Louis Pappas Market Café operates six locations throughout FL. The restaurants occupy spaces of 2,000 sq.ft. to 2,200 sq.ft. in inline spaces and endcaps of shopping centers. Growth opportunities are sought throughout the existing market during the coming 18 months. Typical leases run five years with three, five-year options. Preferred demographics include a population of 70,000 within three miles earning $60,000 as the median household income. Tenant improvement allowances are required. The company prefers sites with an outdoor patio. For more information, contact Stan Shor, Louis Pappas Market Café, 731 Wesley Avenue, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

 

Danice Stores, Inc. trades as Danice Stores at 26 locations throughout NJ and NY.  The stores, offering discounted women's apparel, occupy spaces of 6,000 sq.ft. to 8,000 sq.ft. in power centers and downtown areas.  Plans call for three openings throughout NY during the coming 18 months.  Typical leases run 15 to 20 years. For more information, contact Barry Group, Danice Stores, Inc., 525 7th Avenue, New York, NY 10018

 

Brick House Tavern & Tap operates 17 locations throughout FL, KY, IL, MO, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA and TX. The chain of restaurants occupies spaces of 7,000 sq.ft. to 8,000 sq.ft. in freestanding locations. Growth opportunities are sought throughout Baltimore, MD and Washington, DC during the coming 18 months, with representation by Sax Realty, Inc. The company will consider urban central business district locations. For more information, contact Les Sax, Sax Realty, Inc., 4931 Cordell Avenue, Bethesda, MD 20814